Protective covering for board fencing

ABSTRACT

A form-fitting covering for board fencing includes a mesh of wire or wire-like material which envelopes a fencing board therein. Wire or wire-like material is woven in a mesh and formed in a tube of a size to stretch to fit or envelope a fencing board. A second embodiment utilizes a flat sheet of wire or wire-like material woven in a mesh and during installation about the fencing board the mesh is woven into a tube about the fencing board. The wire or wire-like mesh material is fastened to the fencing board by staples, tacks or the like. The fasteners are placed at the ends of the fencing boards at the point where the fencing boards abut such that the fasteners are not available for contact with horses or other animals that may be penned inside the fence.

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention is directed to a protective covering for board fencing. The invention is specifically directed to use of wire mesh for enveloping a fencing board.

[0002] Numerous attempts have been made to prevent animals contained within a fence of wooden boards from chewing the wooden fencing. Numerous fencing materials have been provided in prior art that include plastic surrounds which snap together about wooden fencing boards, hollow plastic fencing boards, metal pipe fencing and the like. These different fencing materials are expensive to manufacture and install. Board fencing is a more economical fencing material but subject to being destroyed by animals chewing thereon. An economical protective coating for board fencing would be an improvement.

[0003] While these prior art units may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as hereinafter described.

SUMMARY

[0004] The present invention is directed to a wire mesh covering for board fencing that satisfies these needs for an economical, easy to install protective covering for board fencing. A wire mesh covering for fencing boards having features of the present invention comprises a form-fitting covering for a fence having a plurality of fencing boards supported on a plurality of posts. This covering consists of a wire mesh shaped either, in a first embodiment, as a tube of wire mesh, or, in a second embodiment, as a flat sheet of wire mesh formed by manual pressure into a tube about the fencing board. Once in position, either embodiment wire mesh is then fastened by fastening means about the fencing board. The wire mesh covering can be a wire netting shaped as a hexagonal mesh or shaped as a generally oval interwoven mesh. The fastening means include staples, tacks, nails, screws, or the like or adhesives could be used.

[0005] A method for installing the first embodiment wire mesh form-fitting covering for a fence includes placing a first end of a fencing board within a first end of a wire-mesh tubular covering and manually pushing an individual fencing board into the tube such that the wire mesh tubing envelopes the fencing board on four sides. The wire mesh covering, once in place about the fencing board, is fastened at a position remote from the outside edges of the fencing board, with the use of the above-listed fastening means. The method of installing the second embodiment flat sheet of wire mesh covering is to, by use of manual pressure against the wire mesh, to form the wire mesh covering into a tube about the fencing board. The second embodiment requires the additional step of weaving the side edges of the wire mesh. Again the covering is maintained in its position of use by fastening means that fasten the ends of the wire mesh to the ends of the fencing board.

[0006] It is important to fasten the wire mesh about the fencing board in such a way that no tacks, staples, nails,-etc. are protruding from the wire mesh to come into contact with the animals contained within the fence. The fasteners are placed at the end edges of the fencing boards at the point where the fencing boards abut such that the fasteners are not available for contact with horses or other animals that may be penned inside the fence.

[0007] It is an object of this invention to provide an economical, easy to install protective covering to board fencing.

[0008] It is a further object of this invention to provide a safe fence for use around animals such as horses.

[0009] The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Understanding of the invention will be enhanced by referring to the accompanying drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts in the several views and in which:

[0011]FIG. 1 is a side view of the protective covering of this invention in its position of use enveloping board fencing;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a side view of the protective covering of this invention where the mesh is a hexagonal mesh;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a side view of the protective covering of this invention where the mesh is a generally oval interwoven mesh;

[0014]FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the first embodiment tubular shaped protective covering where the mesh is a hexagonal mesh;

[0015]FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the first embodiment tubular shaped protective covering where the mesh is a generally oval interwoven mesh;

[0016]FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the protective covering, where the mesh is a hexagonal mesh, in its position of use enveloping board fencing;

[0017]FIG. 7 is side perspective view of the protective covering, where the mesh is a generally oval interwoven mesh, in its position of use enveloping board fencing; and

[0018]FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of the second embodiment protective covering with the mesh side edge weaving means and fastening means shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Understanding of the invention will be further enhanced by referring to the following illustrative but non-limiting example.

[0020] A protective covering 20 for board fencing includes a mesh 30 of wire or wire-like material which envelopes a fencing board 22 therein. Wire or wire-like material is woven in a mesh 30 and formed in a tube of a size to stretch to fit or envelope a fencing board 22. A second embodiment protective covering 20′ utilizes a flat sheet of wire or wire-like material woven in a mesh 30 and during installation about the fencing board 22 the mesh 30 is woven into a tube about the fencing board 22. The mesh 30 material is attached to the fencing board 22 by fasteners 50 such as staples, tacks or the like. The fasteners 50 are placed at the ends of the fencing boards 22 at the point where the fencing boards 22 abut such that the fasteners are not available for contact with horses or other animals that may be penned inside the fence.

[0021] Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference characters refer to corresponding elements throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates the protective covering 20 after being installed in its position of use enveloping a fencing board 22. The protective covering 20 covers four sides of each fencing board 22 and is held in place by fasteners, not shown in this figure, at the ends of the fencing boards 22 where the boards 22 abut one another. Because the protective covering 20 has, as result of being a mesh formed of metal or other resilient materials, a relatively smooth surface that prevents injury to animals, such as horses, penned within. Although not shown in this drawing, it will be noted that the fencing posts 24 may also receive the protective covering 20 of this invention.

[0022]FIG. 2 illustrates the mesh 30 used in the protective covering 20 as having a hexagonal shape. This mesh 30 can be of metal, such as what is commonly called chicken wire, of hard plastic, or other resilient materials.

[0023]FIG. 3 illustrates the protective covering 20 of this invention where the mesh 30 is a generally oval interwoven mesh. This generally oval-shaped mesh is more particularly described as being bulb-shaped terminating in points opposite each other.

[0024]FIG. 4 illustrates the protective covering 20 shown formed into a tubular shape. This tubular shape can be produced during manufacture of the mesh 30 or during installation as in the second embodiment use of flat sheets of mesh 30. Here the mesh 30 is hexagonal.

[0025]FIG. 5 illustrates the protective covering 20 shown formed into a tubular shape where the wire mesh is a generally oval interwoven mesh.

[0026]FIG. 6 illustrates the protective covering 20, where the mesh 30 is a hexagonal shaped, after installation enveloping fencing board 22. Further illustrated in FIG. 6 are the fasteners 50 used to hold the mesh 30 in position about the fencing board 22. Although the fasteners 50 are shown positioned on the side of the fencing board 22, it is understood that the preferred embodiment utilizes the board end 23 to receive the fasteners 50.

[0027]FIG. 7 illustrates the protective covering 20, where the mesh 30 is a generally oval-shaped interwoven mesh, in its position of use enveloping fencing board 22. Also shown in the figure is a liner 44, of paper or a thin layer of plastic, which is used to aid in the installation of the covering 20 over the fencing board 22. The liner 44 could also be used with the hexagon-shaped mesh 30.

[0028]FIG. 8 illustrates the second embodiment protective covering 20 with the mesh 30 side edge woven together by means of a metal wire or the like to hold the protective covering 20 in a tubular shape so the protective covering is form-fit to the particular fencing board 22. In use, the woven edge would be positioned away from the animals being penned. Fasteners 50 are also shown in this figure.

[0029] During installation of the protective covering 20, the fencing boards 22 would be prepared by being painted. Following painting, the wooden fencing boards 22 would be individually pushed into a sleeve of the protective covering 20 in the instance of the first embodiment tubular shaped protective covering 20. The liner 44 eases the installation of the protective covering 20 about the fencing board 22. Following installation of the protective covering 20, the fencing board 22 would be fastened by nails, screws or the like to the fencing posts 24 in the desired location. A pair of fencing boards 22, having the protective covering 20 installed thereon, would abut each the other at their board ends 23 further attaching the protective covering 20. Additionally, either embodiment of the protective covering 20, 20′, could be installed prior to painting of the fencing board 22 which would enhance the esthetic look of the finished product.

[0030] An advantage of this invention is that it allows use of an economical fencing material, board fence, and yet prolongs the life of the board. Having the protective covering 20, 20′ mounted on the fencing board 22 discourages chewing by the animals penned within the fencing thereby protecting the fencing boards 22 and prolonging their use. A further advantage of this invention is that board fencing is easier to install than other types of fencing, such as plastic surrounds which snap together about wooden fencing boards, hollow plastic fencing boards, metal pipe fencing and the like. The disadvantage inherent in board fencing, the penned animals chewing their way through the boards, would be dissipated if not eliminated.

[0031] Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.

[0032] Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments can be carried out without departing from the scope of the invention which is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A form-fitting protective covering for a fence having a plurality of fencing boards supported on a plurality of posts, comprising: tubular protective covering for enveloping a fencing board a wire-mesh; and fastening means to affix said protective covering to the fencing board.
 2. The covering of claim 1, wherein said wire-mesh tubular protective covering further comprises a wire netting having a hexagonal mesh.
 3. The covering of claim 1, wherein said wire-mesh tubular protective covering further comprises a wire netting having a generally oval interwoven mesh.
 4. The covering of claim 1, wherein said fastening means further comprises one of a group including staples, tacks, nails, screws, and adhesives.
 5. A form-fitting covering for a fence having a plurality of fencing boards supported on a plurality of posts, comprising: a flat sheet of wire mesh covering for a fencing board; means for weaving said covering to envelop the fencing board; and fastening means to affix said covering to the fencing board.
 6. The covering of claim 5, wherein said wire-mesh covering further comprises a wire netting having a hexagonal mesh.
 7. The covering of claim 5, wherein said wire-mesh covering further comprises a wire netting having a generally oval interwoven mesh.
 8. The covering of claim 1, wherein said fastening means further comprises one of a group including staples, tacks, nails, screws, and adhesives.
 9. A method for installing a form-fitting protective covering for a fence, comprising the steps of: placing a first end of a fencing board within a first end of a wire-mesh tubular covering and manually pushing an individual fencing board into the tube of said covering whereby said covering envelopes the fencing board on four sides; fastening said covering about the fencing board, at a position remote from the outside edges of the fencing board, with the use of fastening means.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein said fastening means further comprises one of a group including staples, tacks, nails, screws, and adhesives. 